The NWSL’s top two team’s battled to a scoreless draw last night in Kansas City, with both Washington Spirit (10W-6D-4L) and the Current (16-2-2) putting in strong defensive performances amidst some setbacks.

Both had personnel issues, with 2024 Golden Boot winner Temwa Chawinga unavailable due to injury and Washington’s Hal Hershfelt having to leave the match in the 67th minute after receiving a second yellow card. The Spirit’s response, staying strong defensively while bringing on new attackers to threaten the goal, earned them a point against a strong opponent: the Current lead the league by 14 points and are the only team to have guaranteed themselves a playoff spot at this point in the season.

Once again playing in a fluid, shifting formation but with an added dash of physicality, the Spirit struggled to make it into their opponents’ half in the first 20 minutes but found their way into the match afterward. Kansas City were content to give Washington most of the possession, using their pressing shape to keep the Spirit out of dangerous areas and attacking largely on the counter with runs behind Washington’s back line. Both teams held their opponent to two shots in the first half.

Defender Gabby Carle described the Spirit’s mindset coming into the game: “The mindset was, honestly, we have nothing to lose. This is a team that has a lot of points ahead. We weren’t going to catch them with this game….” This allowed them to come in and just be themselves, Carle said.

The Spirit came out stronger in the second half, recording four shots in about six minutes early in the half. They had to change their plans when Hershfelt received her second yellow card in the 67th minute for a late tackle — her first had come from a collision with the Current’s goal keeper while both were leaping for the ball on a Spirit free kick.

After going down to 10 players, Washington shifted to a 4-4-1 formation but brought on two speedy attackers, Rose Kouassi and Gift Monday, who helped them to launch attacks in transition, relieving pressure on the defense. Spirit coach Adrián González cited Monday’s ability to maintain possession for long periods of time and provoke fouls and Kouassi’s speed and defensive dueling capabilities as important factors in the decision to add them at this point in the game.

Carle said the team’s focus after the dismissal was “defending well first” and then looking for opportunities to counterattack, and their performance was a defensive triumph, particularly for a team who struggled with defense earlier in the season. Tara McKeown (five interceptions, eight recoveries, one goal line clearance) and Deb Abiodun (eight duels won, seven tackles, 12 recoveries) were standouts, but the whole team gave everything they had to keeping the Current from scoring.

“Right now, if I am honest, I feel a little bit a mix of emotions because I always want to win; the team always wants to win, and it seems like we had the chance today,” González said. He was proud of the Spirit’s performance, though, as was captain Aubrey Kingsbury.

“I’m definitely proud of us. We’ll take the point,” she said.

Up next: The Spirit have a quick turnaround this week. They travel again to play Angel City FC on Thursday, Sep. 17.

Three takeaways 

• Standings. This result didn’t impact the Current’s dominant position in the standings, remaining 14 points ahead of Washington in the number two slot. The Spirit, meanwhile, are now six points ahead of the closest team with six games to play.
• Clean sheet queen. This match made goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury the first to record a clean sheet against all 14 current NWSL teams, including one against the Spirit from her time in Orlando eight years ago. That record was hard-won against Kansas City, with Kingsbury making two saves, two punches, and 10 recoveries.
• Defensive turnaround. Washington’s leaky defense was their biggest concern of the early season, especially after a particularly unfortunate streak when they allowed 12 goals in four games. The summer break gave them a chance to reset. Kingsbury said the team spent that time “getting back to basics” and focusing on improving their defending in the box. It’s paid off, with Washington recording three clean sheets since Aug. 1 and allowing just one goal in their past three matches.

Box Score

NWSL Regular Season –  Game 20

Kansas City Current 0

Washington Spirit 0

Lineups

Kansas City Current (4141): Lorena; Hailie Mace, Izzy Rodriguez, Kayla Sharples, Elizabeth Ball; Claire Hutton (Rocky Rodriguez 83′), Lo’eau LaBonta (C), Ally Sentnor (Haley Hopkins 83′); Michelle Cooper (Alex Pfeiffer 88′), Nichelle Prince (Debinha 46′), Bia Zaneratto

Washington Spirit (4231): Aubrey Kingsbury (C); Tara McKeown, Gabby Carle, Esme Morgan, Paige Metayer (Kate Wiesner 63′); Deborah Abiodun, Leicy Santos, Hal Hershfelt; Croix Bethune (Rose Kouassi 71′), Trinity Rodman (Courtney Brown 90′), Sofia Cantore (Monday 71′)

Misconduct Summary

Kansas City Current:  None

Washington Spirit:  Hershfelt 22′, 67′, Kouassi 78′

Featured image, courtesy of the Washington Spirit, shows Aubrey Kingsbury diving to recover the ball from Kansas City Current